Multi-host USB hub and docking system
AssigneeLogitech Europe S.A.
InventorJoseph Yao-Hua Chu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual-host, USB system comprising a USB hub, a multiplexor (MUX) configured to couple a first host computing device or a second host computing device to a USB hub where each of the first and second host computing device have host-level control of a plurality of USB ports coupled to the USB hub based on which of a first or second input of the MUX is selected. The system further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the second host computing device and the USB hub, the processor providing a non-USB communication path from the second host computing device to the first host computing device to facilitate the sending of commands from the second host computing device to the first host computing device in the USB system.
Claims20
A dual-host, universal serial bus (USB) system comprising:
- a USB hub including a plurality of USB ports;
- a multiplexor (MUX) including:
- a first input;
- a second input;
- and
- an output coupled to the USB hub, wherein the MUX is configured to electrically couple the first input to the output when the MUX is switched to a first mode of operation, and the MUX is configured to electrically couple the second input to the output when the MUX is switched to a second mode of operation;
- a host port coupled to the first input of the MUX, the host port operable to receive a first host computing device, the host port providing host-level control of the USB hub to the first host computing device when the MUX is in the first mode of operation;
- a second host computing device coupled to the second input of the MUX, the second host computing device having host-level control of the USB hub when the MUX is in the second mode of operation;
- and
- a microcontroller unit (MCU) communicatively coupled to the second host computing device and the USB hub, the MCU providing a non-USB communication path from the second host computing device to the first host computing device to facilitate a sending of commands from the second host computing device to the first host computing device when the MUX is in the first mode of operation.
A method for operating a dual-host USB system, the method comprising:
- receiving a control signal configured to cause a multiplexor (MUX) to switch between a first mode of operation and second mode of operation, the MUX including:
- a first input coupled to a host port that is operable to receive a first host computing device;
- a second input coupled to a second host computing device;
- and
- an output coupled to a USB hub having a plurality of USB ports;
- switching the first input to the output of the MUX in response to the MUX being switched to the first mode of operation, wherein when in the first mode of operation the host port provides the first computing device host-level control of the USB hub;
- switching the second input to the output of the MUX in response to the MUX being switched to the second mode of operation, wherein when in the second mode of operation the second host computing device has host-level control of the USB hub;
- and
- sending a command from the second host computing device to the first host computing device via an MCU over a non-USB communication path when the MUX is in the first mode of operation.
A system comprising:
- one or more processors;
- one or more machine-readable, non-transitory storage mediums that include instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:
- receiving a control signal configured to cause a multiplexor (MUX) to switch between a first mode of operation and second mode of operation, the MUX including:
- a first input coupled to a host port that is operable to receive a first host computing device;
- a second input coupled to a second host computing device;
- and
- an output coupled to a USB hub having a plurality of USB ports;
- switching the first input to the output of the MUX in response to the MUX being switched to the first mode of operation, wherein when in the first mode of operation the host port provides the first computing device host-level control of the USB hub;
- switching the second input to the output of the MUX in response to the MUX being switched to the second mode of operation, wherein when in the second mode of operation the second host computing device has host-level control of the USB hub;
- and
- sending a command from the second host computing device to the first host computing device via an MCU over a non-USB communication path when the MUX is in the first mode of operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.